>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE LATEST STATE JOBS REPORT IS OUT TODAY, AND THERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS AND SOME NOT SO GOOD.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ALABAMA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR AUGUST REMAINED AT 2.1 PERCENT.

THAT'S THE LOWEST IT HAS EVER BEEN, WITH A RECORD TWO MILLION, TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE THOUSAND TWENTY FIVE PEOPLE COUNTED AS EMPLOYED.

THE NOT SO GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE STATE'S WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE IS ALSO LOW AT 57 PERCENT.

THAT'S THE MEASURE OF HOW MANY ABLE BODIED CITIZENS ARE WORKING OR LOOKING FOR WORK.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY HAS TASKED MULTIPLE STATE AGENCIES WITH INCREASING THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE BY BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO WORK.

THE CONTROVERSY OVER CONTENT IN ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARIES CONTINUED THIS WEEK.

THE ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES BOARD MET THIS WEEK HERE IN MONTGOMERY, WHERE A FEW DOZEN CONCERNED CITIZENS SHOWED UP TO LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD.

AS WE DISCUSSED WITH APLS DIRECTOR NANCY PACK LAST WEEK ON CAPITOL JOURNAL, THE ISSUE IS BOOKS CONTAINING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL AND GENDER IDENTIFY THEMES AND WHERE SUCH BOOKS BELONG IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY OPEN TO CHILDREN.

SOME PARENTS AND ACTIVISTS ARGUE SUCH BOOKS SHOULD BE REMOVED OR AT LEAST PUT IN SECTIONS RESTRICTED TO CHILDREN.

OTHERS COUNTERED THAT RESTRICTING ACCESS TO BOOKS IS A VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

ARE HERE JUST TELLING THE BOARD A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY ACROSS THE STATE AND WE WANTED TO MAGIC SURE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT IN THE LIBRARY.

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

IT HAS TO DO WITH SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT AND RADICAL IDEOLOGIES.

I WOULD JUST SAY READ THE BOOKS YOURSELF.

>> I'M HERE TO EXPOSE THE TRUTH BEHIND THE SUPPOSED BOOK MOVING.

THAT'S HOW IT ALL STARTS.

IT SOUNDS SO PRETTY WHEN YOU SAY IT'S PROTECTING THE CHILDREN WHEN REALLY THAT'S WHAT IT'S BEING MARKETED AS.

UNDERNEATH IT'S ANTI LGBTQ + COMMUNITY.

THEY SAY THEY WANT TO MOVE A COUPLE OF BOOKS.

IT'S A COMMON SENSE WAY TO DO THINGS.

IT'S THEIR WAY OF DOING THINGS.

WHAT THEY WANT IS TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHAT ALL KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO IN OUR LIBRARIES WHICH IS A PUBLIC PLACE TO HOLD INFORMATION TO TEACH US TO NOT REPEAT HISTORY.

>> I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS IS NOT A QUESTION ABOUT BANNING ANYTHING.

YOU KNOW, I'M A STRONG BELIEVER IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

I BELIEVE IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE RESPECT DIFFERENCE OF OPINION, AND PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.

BUT THE QUESTION HERE IS NOT ABOUT BANNING ANYTHING.

THE QUESTION IS SHOULD TAXPAYER MONEY BE USED TO FUND BOOKS THAT MAY CANAAN APPROPRIATE MATERIAL FOR CHILDREN.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LET CHILDREN BE CHILDREN.

YOU KNOW, NOT PUT NECESSARILY THE STUFF IN FRONT OF THEM.

PARENTS STILL HAVE ACCESS TO THIS IF THEY WANT TO BUY IT FOR OUR CHILDREN BUT WE DON'T WANT IT IN LIBRARIES WHERE INNOCENT CHILDREN CAN STUMBLE UPON IT WITHOUT KNOWING IT'S THERE.

>> DECISIONS ON WHAT BOOKS TO CARRY AND WHERE THEY'RE PLACED IS ULTIMATELY A LOCAL DECISION.

BUT THE BOARD VOTED TO CREATE A DATABASE WHERE CONCERNED PARENTS CAN SUBMIT THE NAMES OF BOOKS THEY DEEM INAPPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN, AND THAT LIST WILL BE SHARED WITH LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

THE ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MET THIS WEEK AND VOTED TO ADOPT A NEW TESTING STANDARD FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

KNOWN AS THE CUT SCORE, THIRD GRADE STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SCORE A 435 OUT OF 780 ON THE STATE READING TEST IN ORDER TO ADVANCE TO FOURTH GRADE.

THE VOTE WAS 53 WITH SOME ARGUING THE MINIMUM SCORE ISN'T HIGH ENOUGH.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT ERIC MACKEY SAID RAISING THE STANDARDS WILL BE PART OF THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD BUT THAT THIS WAS GOOD PLACE TO START.

>> OBVIOUSLY IF WE'RE GOING TO -- SOMEWHERE AROUND TEN TO 12 THOUSAND, ALL OF THEM MAY NOT BE RETAINED BECAUSE THEY MAY GO TO SUMMER PROGRAMMING BUT STILL WE'RE GOING TO JUMP WAY UP AND THERE WILL BE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS RETAINED THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PRIOR TO THE BOARD IMPLEMENTING THIS CUT SCORE.

SO THE BOARD SET A STANDARD AND SAID IF THESE STUDENTS DON'T MAKE IT AND THEY DON'T TAKE SUMMER PROGRAMMING AND PASS THE SECOND TEST THEY'RE GOING TO STAY IN THIRD GRADE.

OUR PRINCIPALS HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THAT.

PRINCIPALS HAVE TO KNOW THEY WILL HAVE MORE STUDENTS IN THIRD GRADE THAN THEY USED TO.

IT MAY TAKE MOVING SOME TEACHERS FROM FOURTH GRADE TO THIRD GRADE OR IN SOME CASES REORGANIZE A WHOLE DISTRICT SO WE WILL K-3 SCHOOLS SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THE PRINCIPLE CAN DO.

THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS TO MOVE THE UNITS FROM ONE SCHOOL TO ANOTHER.

WE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGING PRINCIPALS DON'T CREATE SOME SPECIAL CLASS FOR JUST THE KIDS THAT ARE NOT HIGH LEVEL READERS.

THAT'S A BAD IDEA.

BECAUSE GENERALLY WHAT HAPPENS THEN IS THAT TEACHERS END UP HAVING TO TEACH TO A LOWER STANDARD.

WE WANT TO TEACH TO A HIGH STANDARD.

>> JEFFERSON COUNTY MAY SOON GET A $158 MILLION DOLLAR AGRICULTURAL EVENT CENTER.

THE ALABAMA FARMERS FEDERATION THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED THE PURCHASE OF HALLMARK FARMS, A 500-ACRE PROPERTY OFF INTERSTATE 65 NORTH OF BIRMINGHAM.

ALFA PRESIDENT JIMMY PARNELL SAID THE LOCATION WILL BE PERFECT FOR ATTRACTING ALL KINDS OF EVENTS, FROM RODEOS TO LIVESTOCK EXHIBITIONS AND WILL OFFER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.

>> IT'S REALLY A PRETTY EXCITING PROJECT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I FELT LIKE FOR A LONG TIME THE STATE NEEDED.

AG IS THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IN THE STATE, FIRST.

AND THE AG PEOPLE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A PLACE THEY CAN GO TO AND BE PROUD OF TO HAVE EVENTS, CATTLE SHOWS, RODEOS, ALL OF THOSE NORMAL THINGS THAT YOU WOULD THINK ABOUT ON SOMETHING CALLED A FARM CENTER.

>> TODAY, SEPTEMBER 15, IS THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HORRIFIC BOMBING OF THE 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH IN BIRMINGHAM THAT KILLED FOUR LITTLE GIRLS AND SERVED AS A TURNING POINT IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

THIS WEEK CONGRESSWOMAN TERRI SEWELL SPOKE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THOSE GIRLS AND OF THE SACRIFICES MADE TO ADVANCE JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> 60 YEARS AFTER PARISHIONERS OF THE 16TH STREET BEFORE THEN PREPARED FOR SUNDAY SERVICE, 19 STICKS OF DYNAMITE PLACED BY KU KLUX KLAN MEMBERS EXPLODED.

AS THE INTERIOR OF THE WALLS OF THE CHURCH CAVED IN, OVER 100 CHURCH GOERS RUSHED FOR SAFETY.

THOUGH MOST OF THE CONGREGATION ESCAPED, UNDER THE DEBRIS LIE THE BODIES OF ADDIE MAY COLLINS, DENISE MICK I'M NOT AWARE AND CYNTHIA MORRIS WESLEY AND SARAH COLLINS RUDOLPH WHO WAS INJURED BUT ULTIMATELY SURVIVED.

WITHOUT THE INFLUENCE OF THE FOUR LITTLE GIRLS, I NOT ONLY QUESTION WHERE AMERICA WOULD BE BUT WHERE I WOULD BE.

60 YEARS AFTER THEIR PASSING, I GET TO WALK THE HALLS OF CONGRESS AS ALABAMA'S FIRST BLACK CONGRESS WOMAN.

I DO SO BECAUSE OF THEIR SACRIFICE AND BECAUSE THEY CANNOT.

THEIR PREMATURE AND SENSELESS DEATH SERVES AS A CONSTANT REMINDER THAT EVERY BATTLE, EVERY GAIN IN THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS HAS COME AT A HIGH COST PAID FOR BY THE SACRIFICE OF OTHERS.

>> CAPITOL JOURNAL'S RANDY SCOTT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SOLEMN ANNIVERSARY, REPORTING FROM BIRMINGHAM IN PART TWO OF HIS SERIES ON THE 16TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH BOMBING.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY HATE IN US BECAUSE WE WERE GOING TO CHURCH TO LEARN ABOUT GOD, YOU KNOW, AND HIS LOVE.

FOR SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEY ARE LED BY THE DEVIL.

YOU DON'T PUT A BOMB IN A CHURCH.

>> SEPTEMBER15, 1963, A QUIET MORNING IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM IS SHATTERED BY AN EXPLOSION AT THE 16TH STREET BEFORE THEN.

SARAH COLLINS RUDOLPH WAS IN THE BASEMENT WHERE THE BLAST HAPPENED.

>> THEY RUSHED ME ON UP THE STAIRS AND OPERATED ON MY EYES.

WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY ROOM MY MOTHER WAS WAITING FOR ME.

AND SHE TOLD ME THAT ALL OF THE GIRLS THAT WERE IN THE LADY'S LOUNGE WITH ME, THEY WERE ALL KILLED AND I WAS THE ONLY SURVIVOR.

>> SHE WAS INJURED, LOSING HER RIGHT EYE.

SADLY HER SISTER AND THREE FRIENDS DIED.

>> WE CAME TO CHURCH THAT MORNING TO WORSHIP GOD AND I HAD TO LEAVE THERE WITHOUT MY SISTER AND MY FRIENDS WERE KILLED.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

>> COLLINS RUDOLPH SAID SHE HAS HAD DIFFICULTY TALKING ABOUT THIS EVENT THROUGH THE YEARS BUT ADDS SHE'S GOTTEN BETTER ABOUT EXPRESSING HERSELF.

>> I WAS MAD FOR A GOOD WHILE, A LONG TIME.

BECAUSE KILLING THOSE GIRLS AND INJURING ME, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

AND IT HAPPENED SIMPLY BECAUSE WE WERE BLACK.

>> THE DELI EXPLOSION THAT ROCKED THE 16TH STREET BEFORE THEN TOOK PLACE 06 YEARS AGO WHERE FOUR LITTLE GIRLS LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE BASEMENT OF THIS FACILITY.

TODAY THERE'S A SENSE OF URGENCY TO HELP THOSE DEALING WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER BECAUSE OF THIS TRAGEDY.

>> THE CONFERENCE IS CALLED THERE'S A BOMB IN GILEAD AND GETS PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT THE TRAGEDY.

>> NOW WE'RE REALIZING SO SUCK UP AND MOVE ON IS UNREALISTIC.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF TRAUMA THAT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT DOES AFFECT YOU ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

IT MAY COME OUT IN WAYS THAT OTHERS RECOGNIZE.

OR IT MAY BE INTERNALIZED WHERE THERE'S SELF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR BUT IT DOES NOT JUST GO AWAY.

YOU DO DEAL WITH IT.

>> THROUGH OUR CONFERENCE THERE IS A BOMB IN GILEAD, WE'RE OFFERING HELP AND SUPPORT FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE, NOT JUST THEM FROM THAT TIME PERIOD BUT WE REALIZE THE TRAUMA THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCED IN BIRMINGHAM IN 1963 IS ENTER GENERATIONAL.

IT DOESN'T STOP BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME.

WHAT ABOUT MY CHILD.

HOW DO I TELL THE STORY GOING FORWARD.

>> CITIZENS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY CENTERED BY TRAGIC EVENTS ARE JOINING ALLOWING HEALING TO CONTINUE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE JOINED US AS PARTNERS.

WE'RE SO THANKFUL.

THE MINNESOTA HUMANITIES, WHEN WE FIRST INTRODUCED THE IDEA, THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT SAID YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

WE WANT TO JOIN WITH YOU TO DO THAT.

>> SARAH RUDOLPH SAID THERE'S HOPE THINGS CAN STILL GET BETTER, 60 YEARS LATER.

>> THE STATE HAS CHANGED AND WE DON'T SEE ALL OF THAT COLORED SIGNS AND WHITE SIGNS.

UP ON THE FOUNTAIN AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT IT COULD BE BETTER.

THIS STATE COULD BE BETTER.

COMING UP NEXT, I'LL SPEAK WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL ABOUT A NUMBER OF TOPICS, INCLUDING GAMBLING AND THE REDISTRICTING ISSUE.

I'LL ALSO TALK REDISTRICTING WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND LATER IN THE SHOW.

AND ADECA DIRECTOR KEN BOWELL JOINS US FOR AN UPDATE ON EXPANDING BROADBAND INTERNET INTO RURAL, UNDERSERVED AREAS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

HE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL.

MR.

MARSHAL, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> ALWAYS GOOD HAVE YOU ON AND TALK ABOUT VERY COMPLICATED ISSUES.

I WANT TO GET TO REDISTRICTING BECAUSE THAT'S THE BIG ONE THAT IS VERY TOPICAL THIS WEEK.

BUT I WANT TO START WITH A CULL OF OTHER THINGS BEGINNING WITH THIS TRANSGENDER BAN LAWSUIT, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED, A BAN ON DOCTORS PRESCRIBING OR PERFORMING ANY KIND OF TREATMENTS ON TREATMENT ON MINORS UNDER 18.

THE 11TH CIRCUIT HAS LIFTED THE LOWER COURT'S INJUNCTION ON THAT BUT NOW WE HAVE A MOTION FROM THE PARENTS IN THIS COURT CASE THIS WEEK.

TALK TO ME ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THIS CASE AND WHAT YOUR OFFICE HAS RESPONDED TO?

>> LET ME CORRECT A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR INCREASE WHICH IS WHILE WE PREVAILED AT THE 11TH CIRCUIT, THE INJUNCTION HASN'T BEEN LIFTED YET WHICH PROPERTIED THE FILING THAT WE SAW BY THE PLAINTIFFS.

WHILE WE WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN A POSITIVE RULING FROM THE 11TH CIRCUIT IT BELIEVED THAT THE INJUNCTION SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ISSUED WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR US AND FRANKLY IS NOW THE THIRD IN LINE AROUND THE COUNTRY WHICH ALABAMA HAS ASSISTED IN IN BEING ABLE TO OBTAIN.

YET THE INJUNCTION WOULDN'T BE LIFTED UNTIL THE 11TH CIRCUIT MANDATE WHICH HAS TIME TO GO THROUGH BEFORE THE APPEALS HAVE RUN FOR THE MANDATE TO BE ISSUED.

SO BY FILING THE REQUEST FOR REVIEW, WHICH MEANS THE PLAINTIFFS LAWYERS WANT THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT NOT JUST THE THREE JUDGE PANEL TO WEIGH IN HERE, SO WHILE ALABAMA HAS OBTAINED A VERY IMPORTANT VICTORY IN LIGHT OF THE TRIAL THAT WILL TAKE PLACE COMING UP IN APRIL WHERE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE VERY SIGNIFICANT INTEREST THE STATE OF ALABAMA HAS IN PROTECTING KIDS FROM THIS SO-CALLED GENDER AFFIRMING TREATMENT, RIGHT NOW THE INJUNCTION IS STILL IN PLACE BECAUSE OF THAT VERY SPECIFIC PROCEDURAL ISSUE.

RESPOND TO THE PARENTS ARGUMENT HERE.

THERE'S A CONDITION IN THIS COUNTRY OF DEFERRING WHEN IT COMES TO MILLION CONDITIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.

SO I'M CURIOUS, MAYBE THIS IS HOW THE LEGAL ARGUMENT PLAYS OUT BUT WHERE DOES THE PARENT'S RIGHTS TO THEIR CHILDREN END AND WHERE IS THE STATE'S INTEREST IN YOU KNOW PROHIBITING SOME OF THESE PROCEDURES OR TREATMENTS?

WHERE IS THAT LET ME KNOW LINE?

>> STATE'S INTEREST NEVER ENDS AS RELATES TO KIDS.

WE ALL HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE 11TH CIRCUIT SAW WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO PRE-FAIL IN THAT DECISION IS NOT ONLY IS ALABAMA'S ARGUMENT ABOUT THE EXPERIMENTAL NATURE OF THIS TREATMENT WHY EUROPE HAS PULLED BACK FROM DOING THIS FROM THE ITS IS SEEMINGLY CHARGED WELL AHEAD AND FOR US TO BE ABLE TO OUTLINE WHY THE LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE CONCERNS AND WAY INTO THIS SPECIFIC AREA, THE PLAINTIFFS IN THEIR BLEEDING IN THE 11TH CIRCUIT REALLY HAVE CENTERED THEIR QUESTION AROUND PARENTAL RIGHTS.

YOU SAW THE 11TH CIRCUIT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PARENTS HAVE RIGHTS AROUND THE EDUCATION OF THEIR KIDS, DEALING WITH CUSTODY ISSUES.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A RIGHT FOR PANTS TO HAVE CHILDREN DO THINGS THAT ARE LETTER DETRIMENTAL TO THEIR HEALTH.

IN THE WORK ON THIS CASE I HAVE TALKED TO COUNTLESS CORRUPTION PEOPLE WHO SHARED WITH ME THAT DURING THEIR YOUTH THEY FELT A CERTAIN WAY AND THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE THE OTHER GENDER AND ULTIMATELY REALIZE IT WAS A BAD MISTAKE.

AND AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THEY WENT THROUGH THIS OFF LABEL USE OF MEDICATION, THROUGH CERTAIN CLINICS THAT TRY TO TRANSITION THEM, THEY HAVE LONG-TERM EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS THEY'RE DEALING WITH.

I THINK THERE'S A LEGITIMATE QUESTION OF HOW WELL-INFORMED PARENTS ARE TO THE EXPERIMENTAL NATURE OF THIS TREATMENT AS WELL.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO OFFER EVIDENCE OF PEOPLE THAT WENT INTO A CLINIC AND BLANKETLY ARE TOLD THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, NEVER A EXPLANATION TO THE RISK OF THE HAZARDS AS A RESULT OF PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND THEN MAKING DECISIONS WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THERE ARE NONMEDICAL WAYS TO DEAL WITH GENDER DYSPHORIA.

I THINK THIS CASE IS GOING TO KIND OF WAY IN TO THE VERY TENSION THAT YOU HAVE DESCRIBED BETWEEN THE STATE'S INTEREST AND POTENTIALLY THE DECISIONS THAT PARENTS GET TO MAKE BUT I THINK ONCE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPOSE THE LIE AND THE FRAUD THAT SURROUNDS THOSE THAT WANT TO DO THAT TO OUR KIDS, IT WILL BE IMPORTANT 0 PROTECT THE KIDS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT GAMBLING.

I WAS TALKING WITH THE SPEAKER THE OTHER TAKE.

THERE'S TALK THE LEGISLATION COMING IN NEXT SESSION WHICH WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

THE COMMITTEE IS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.

TALK ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE FEASIBLE WHEN IT OPTION TO CASINOS, LOTTERY, SPORTS BETTING?

>> THE SPEAKER WAS PRETTY SPECIFIC BECAUSE HE TALKED ABOUT THE WILD WEST OF YOU KNOW, CASINOS BEING ABLE TO POP UP.

I DESCRIBE IT AS, YOU PLAYING WHAC-A-MOLE.

YOU SHUT ONE DOWN AND ANOTHER POPS UP.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SPECIFIC TO ENFORCEMENT IN THE LATEST ON THAT.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD EMBRACE THIS IDEA THAT WE HAVE IT SO WE MIGHT AS WELL LEGALIZE IT.

HERE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT NEED TO COME INTO PLAY.

NUMBER ONE THE SPEAKER HAS KNOWLEDGED AND OTHERS THAT GAMBLING LAWS DON'T CREATE MUCH OF A DETERRENCE.

THAT'S EASY TO FIX.

WE CAN NOW RAISE MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES AND MAKE THEM FELONY AND THAT WOULD CAUSE PEOPLE TO THINK TWICE BEFORE THEY WOULD POTENTIALLY OPEN UP ONE OF THESE MOM AND POP OPERATIONS.

BUT HERE IS THE REALITY.

THE PRESENCE OF THESE ILLEGAL FACILITIES IS REALLY GEOGRAPHICALLY SPECIFIC.

TAKE JEFFERSON COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE.

WHEN MIKE HEAL WAS SHERIFF WE HAD NO ILLEGAL OPERATING FACILITIES TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

AND NOW YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN -- WE WERE RECENTLY UP THERE SHUTTING DOWN MULTIPLE FACILITIES.

WE CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR WHAT IS THE GOING ON AND WE WILL BE ENGAGED.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE LIKED OFFICIALS SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE THIS LAW, THEN YOU'VE GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT.

AND I DON'T THINK YOU NEED A LEGISLATIVE FIX THERE AS MUCH AS FINDING OPPORTUNITIES TO REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOBS.

THE OTHER THING IS BECAUSE YOU CREATE A REGULATORY BODY AROUND GAMBLING DOESN'T SOLVE YOUR LOCAL PROBLEM.

WE SAW LEGISLATION THAT WANTED TO PLATES CASINOS IN FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT AREAS.

ON THOSE LOCALITIES THAT BECOME THE LOSERS OF THOSE HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO ENSURE AND SWAT YOUR MECHANISM TO ENSURE LEGAL FACILITIES ARE SHUT DOWN?

WE CAN ENHANCE THE LAWS AND PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES FROM THE ENFORCEMENT SIDE AND ALSO CHANGE THE LAWS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE NOT ENFORCING EXISTING LAWS THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMOVE THEM FROM OFFICE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

WE TALK ABOUT THE THREE JUDGE PANEL AND ENJOINING THE STATE FROM MOVING FORWARD WITH ELECTIONS BASED ON THAT MAP.

YOU HAVE ASKED THE SUPREME COURT TO STAY THAT ORDER ALLOWING THE STATE TO PROCEED WITH ELECTIONS.

WHEN MIGHT WE EXPECT A RULING ON THAT AND CAN YOU MISTAKEN NO MATTER WHAT IT IS WHAT IT MEANS AND DOESN'T MEAN.

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS IN PLACE.

RIGHT NOW.

REQUEST IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE FIRST GO AROUND IN THESE CASES WHERE WE SAW THE STAY OF THE JUDGE'S ORDER AND IT ALLOWED US TO BE ABLE TO USE THE PASS IN 200021 FOR THE MOST RECENT CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.

WE'RE NOW MAKING A SIMILAR CHANGE TO THE MAP IN WHICH THE COURT ISSUED THEIR ORDER.

RIGHT NOW IN BOTH PLAINTIFF'S CASES FROM THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT WHERE JUSTICE THOMAS WHO IS THE 11TH CIRCUIT JUDGE AND WHO RECEIVES THAT STAY REQUEST HAS ASKED FOR THE PLAINTIFFS TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND BY SEPTEMBER19.

NOW, THERE'S AN URGENCY HERE FOR US IN GETTING SOME CERTAINTY ABOUT WHERE WE STAND, BECAUSE OCTOBER 1 REALLY IS KIND OF THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH OUR SECRETARY OF STATE AND HIS TEAM NEED TO BE ABLE TO KNOW WHAT MAP WE'RE USING SO THEY CAN THEN IMPLEMENT WHAT IT IS THEY HAVE TO DO FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ELECTION.

SO AS LONG AS THERE'S NO STAY WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK AS THE THREE JUDGE PANEL IS REQUIRING US TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND THIS WEEK AS WE HAVE DONE TO THE MAPS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED AND WE MADE A LEGAL SUBMISSION.

MEANWHILE WE STILL HAVE THE APPELLATE TRACK ASKING THE STAY TO USE THE MAP PASSED IN THE MOST RECENT SESSION TO ALLOW OUR APPEAL TO BE FULLY HEARD.

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS YOU'RE GOING TO APPEAL.

THE APPEAL IS GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER ON THE ACTUAL SUBSTANCE OF THAT RULING.

AM I CORRECT ON THAT PART?

>> YES.

>> WALK ME THROUGH THE BASICS OF WHAT YOUR ARGUMENT WILL BE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT AGAINST THAT THREE JUDGE PANEL RULING.

>> I THINK THE ATTEND IS TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE SUPREME COURT HOW IT IS THAT THE MAP THAT WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IS ONE THAT RESPONDED TO THE CONCERNS THAT WE SAW IN THE MOST RECENT SUPREME COURT DECISION.

THE SPORT OF SUNDAY MENTAL PRINCIPLES THAT SURROUND REDISTRICTING, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID WITH THE NEW MAP NO LONGER WAS COREY TENSION AN IMPORTANT FACTOR.

COREY TENSION BEING THE HISTORICAL LINES BECAUSE THAT WAS VERY MUCH A PART OF THE 2021 MAP AND WE LOOK TO COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST WE ARE RESPECTING COUNTY LINES AND BELIEVE THE LEGISLATURE CAME TOGETHER WITH A MAP WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF CREATING A DISTRICT THAT THE PLAINTIFFS HAVE REQUIRED.

THE THREE JUDGE PANEL HAS REJECTED THAT AND THAT'S WHAT APPEALS ARE FOR IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THOSE LEGAL ARGUMENTS AND WE HOPE THE OPPORTUNITY WILL BE GIVE OF GIVEN TO US TO DO THAT BEGIN WITH THE SUPREME COURT.

>> AND WE HAVE TALKED BEFORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CRITERIA THAT THE COURT LAID OUT, ESPECIALLY CAVANAUGH AND ROBERTS.

THEY SAID MANY DIFFERENT THINGS BUT THEY ALSO SAID, YOU KNOW, MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT OR CLOSE TO IT.

>> AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE ALAN DECISION.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT MOST PEOPLE IN A SORT OF LOOKED AT IT DECISION HAVE SAID WHERE THERE'S NO CLARITY GIVEN FOR WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE?

THERE ARE THREE CASES CHALLENGING THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

THEY DON'T EVEN AGREE AMONG THEMSELVES.

YOU HAVE SEEN A PLEADING FILED SPECIFICALLY BY TERRY SEWELL WHO IS SERVING IN THE 7 DISTRICT RIGHT NOW, VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO THE APPROACH THAT THE SINGLE TODAY PLAINTIFFS HAVE.

>> FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.

MY QUESTION IS WHY NOT PLAY IT SAVE.

39, CLOSE TO 40 PERCENT IS DIFFERENT THAN 48, 49: EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T SAY IT AS THE BIGGEST PRIORITY, IT WAS SAID, WHY NOT PLAY IT SAFE AND DO THAT TO THAT OPPORTUNITY LEVEL.

>> YOU HAVE SEEN THE NUMBERS RAISED AS A RESULT OF THE PLAN ITSELF.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY FOCUS.

YOU HAVE TWO DISTRICTS NOT SUBMIT TO THREE, THAT WAS SOMETHING HIGHLIGHTED AND THAT WAS THE RESPONSE OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THIS PARTICULAR PLAN.

AND YET THERE WAS NO VERY SPECIFIC PERCENTAGE GIVEN.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE HAS TRIED TO INCORPORATE EVERYTHING THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD AND SAW FROM THAT CASE AND I THINK THEY DID THE BEST THEY COULD.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT EVER SINCE THAT SPECIAL SESSION.

AS TO YOUR OFFICE'S INVOLVEMENT, RIGHT WITH THE ROLE THAT YOU PLAYED IN THE SENATE, THE SENATORS SAID YOU WERE TAKING ADVICE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

WHY BE INVOLVED AT ALL?

I KNOW IT'S YOUR JOB TO DEFEND THE PRODUCT THE STATE PASSES BUT WHY BE INVOLVED AT ALL.

>> WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THOSE DECISIONS ON WHAT CHOICE TO MAKE.

WHAT IS THE OVERLAY OF SECTION TWO, WHAT IS THE OVERLAY OF THOSE REDISTRICTING PRINCIPALS AND CONVERSELY HOW FAR DO YOU GO WITHOUT BEING CHALLENGED FOR THE GERRYMANDERING CLAIM THAT I SUSPECT WILL COME.

AND THIS IS A DIFFICULT POSITION TO OPERATE.

AND WE WALKED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND IT.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO GET TO.

BLESS PLAY THE TAPE THROUGH THE END AND LET'S SAY -- WE GO FORWARD WITH THESE ELECTIONS AND THEY DECIDE NOT TO HEAR IT.

THAT'S A PLAUSIBLE OUTCOME HERE, THE SUPREME COURT DOESN'T GRANT CERT, THE APPEAL IS NOT HEARD AND WHATEVER THE THREE JUDGE PANEL AND SPECIAL MASTER SAY IS ALLOWED TO PROCEED.

BUT IF THEY DON'T HEAR OR RULE ON THE CASE DOESN'T THAT MEAN THAT THE QUESTION OF RACIAL PROPORTIONS AND ELECTIONS VERSUS THE 14 AMENDMENT EQUAL TO PROTECTION.

>> IN THE SENSE THAT -- I THINK YOU POINTED OUT HOW MUCH DO YOU RACIALLY JERRY MANNED TO DEAL WITH THIS QUESTION OF CREATING AN MAJORITY DISTRICT.

THAT'S WHY GOING DOWN AND THROUGH THE POPULATION OF MOBILE IS REALLY A DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTION AS FAR AS DEALING WITH NUMBERS AND ALTHOUGH THIS CASE IS CHALLENGING THOSE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS THE ISSUES THAT ARE BEING LITIGATED ARE APPLICABLE TO THE CASE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY TO A PENDING CASE WITH A THREE JUDGE PANEL INVOLVING OUR SENATE DISTRICTS SO VERY MUCH THE ISSUE THAT YOU HAVE DESCRIBED THAN USING THE ONE CASE WE'RE LITIGATING RIGHT NOW BUT IT IMPACTS MULTIPLE CASES DEALING WITH THIS SPECIFIC QUESTION.

THERE ARE MANY STATES, IF THEY DON'T GRANT CERT DOESN'T MEAN THE QUESTION IS OVER WITH.

WE WILL BE DEALING WITH THIS FOR A WHILE.

A LOT TO FOLLOW.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND TALKING THROUGH SOME OF THESE COMPLICATED ISSUES IN SOON.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND FROM TUSCALOOSA.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> I WANT TO GET TO REDISTRICTING BECAUSE THAT'S A BIG TOPIC THIS WEEK AND BEFORE WE GOT THERE I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE FROM CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.

AND KIND OF GOT A LITTLE HEATED THERE AT THE END.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONTACTS.

YOU HAD SENATOR ELLIOT GOING TO THE WEST ALABAMA CORRIDOR, MOST OF 43.

EVENTUALLY IT WAS ASKED TO PUT A HOLD ON IT.

AND YOU SAID IF YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD UP OUR PROJECT, A WEST ALABAMA PROJECT, MOBILE, TUSCALOOSA, THEN I'M GOING TO HOLD UP THE REST OF YOU.

TWO CAN PLAY THIS GAME.

I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT A MEETING THIS WEEK TO RESOLVE THESE DIFFERENCES.

WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF GETTING TO A RESOLUTION.

>> I REPRESENT PART OF TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, AND I SHARE A LOT OF THE AREA WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND THIS PROJECT IS VITAL TO THE GROWTH IN THE BLACK BUILT AREA.

HE.

THIS IS A REBUILD ALABAMA PROJECT AND THEY DESERVE TO SEE THIS MONEY COME BACK AND BE INVESTED IN THEIR AREA.

IT SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE COUNTRY THAT IF YOU INVEST IN THIS AREA THE STATE WILL BACK YOU.

WE NEED TO REBUILD THE AREAS IN THE BLACK BELT THAT HAVE WITHERED AWAY.

AND QUITE HONESTLY, 43 WHICH IS THE CORRIDOR, THERE ARE PARTS OF 43 THAT ARE DANGEROUS.

IT'S TO AT GOOD ROAD WAY.

SO AT THE VERY LEAST NOT ONLY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUT ABOUT BASIC SAFETY.

SO MY CONSTITUENTS AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN WEST ALABAMA ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE AND DESERVE IN INVESTMENTS AS WELL.

>> A LOT OF QUESTIONING I HERE FROM LT.

GOVERNOR AINSWORTH IS ABOUT ALL OF THE PICTURES OF 65 GETTING BACKED UP AND WE NEED TO EXPAND 65 WHICH IS A LONG-TERM PROJECT, AND THE GOVERNOR DID ANNOUNCE A PARTIAL EXPANSION OF METRO BIRMINGHAM BUT THAT IS SORT OF JUXTAPOSED.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND WHEN THAT ARGUMENT IS USED.

>> THAT'S WHAT IS BEING SPENT ON THIS PROJECT IS REBUILD ALABAMA FUNDS.

PEOPLE PAY THAT TAX WHEN THEY BUY GAS SO THEY SHOULD SEE A RETURN ON INVOLVEMENT.

AND IT'S HARD TO TELL AN ENTIRE REGION OF THE STATE WHO HAVE NEEDS THAT THEIRS AREN'T AS PRESSING AS OTHER AREAS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE BAY BRIDGE PROJECT WHICH IS 2.5 BILLION DOLLARS OR THE I-65 PROJECT WHICH IS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, NO ONE HAS SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT HOW MUCH THOSE PROJECTS ARE GOING TO COST BUT AS SOON AS WE TALK ABOUT THAT, WE WANT TO PINCH PENNIES AND SEE IF WE CAN AFFORD IT.

AND IT SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE FOLKS AT THAT TIME LIVE THERE THEY'RE NOT AS IMPORTANT AS OTHER AREAS OF THE STATE.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO PAY GAS TAXES WE SHOULD EXPECT INVESTMENT IN OUR AREAS.

TO THIS POINT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO AVOID GOING 43 AND GO 45 INTO MISSISSIPPI.

0 THEY WILL GO ALTERNATE ROUTES WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO THEY'RE NOT SPENDING MONEY IN THE TOWNS ON 43.

AGAIN IF THERE'S A DOLLAR SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OF THE TABLE WE'RE IN OUR AREA TO MAKE SURE OUR FOLKS GET A PIECE OF THAT DOLLAR TOO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

WE ARE AWAITING THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON A STAY OF THE LOWER COURT'S RULING BUT WE WILL HAVE COURT ACTIVITY.

I SPOKE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GET HIS PERSPECTIVE AND NOW I WANT TO GET YOURS.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WILL ULTIMATELY, AFTER ALL OF THESE RULINGS ARE DEALT WITH WILL AGREE WITH THE LOWER COURT AGAIN AND THAT THIS SPECIAL MASTER WILL INDEED BE DRAWING THESE DISTRICTS.

>> THE WAY WE DID THE SPECIAL SESSION, WE CAN'T REALLY GIVE THE SUPREME COURT A CHOICE.

THE ARGUMENT CAN'T BE, AFTER ALL OF YOUR ARGUMENTS HAVE BEEN REJECTED BY THE DISTRICT COURT AND THE SUPREME COURT IS TO GO BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT AND SAY WE REALLY MEANT IT THIS TIME.

THERE'S NO NEW ARGUMENTS.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN REJECTED.

IF THE SUPREME COURT IN LESS THAN A YEAR REVERSED THEMSELVES IT WOULD REWARD ALABAMA FOR BASICALLY IGNORING AND DEFYING A COURT ORDER.

SO OUR ACTIONS IN THE SPECIAL SESSION WHICH IN MY OPINION WERE DEFIANT, YOU CAN'T AS A SUPREME COURT REWARD THAT BEHAVIOR SO IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LAW AND ORDER WE HAVE TO RESPECT THE SYSTEM IS.

AND YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T TELL ME AS A CITIZEN THAT I HAVE TO ABIDE BY COURT ORDERS THAT I DON'T LIKE AND DON'T AGREE WITH AND THEN OUTRIGHT DEFY ONE WHEN IT'S INVENT FOR YOU.

AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE DISTRICT HAS SAID HOW TROUBLED THEY HAD I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE SUPREME COURT WILL NOT REWARD ALABAMA' DEFINES BY GRANTING A STAY AND REQUIRING THE USE OF A ILLEGAL MAP FOR ANOTHER SIX.

>> THAT THE WAY THE THREE JUDGE PANEL SAW IT IN TERMS OF -- THEY TALKED ABOUT THAT IN THEIR ORDER: BUT THERE ARE PLENTY ON OTHER SIDE, MARSHAL AND OTHERS WHO DISAGREE THAT'S WHAT THE SUPREME COURT SAID IN THEIR RULING.

THEY ARGUED THAT THE SUPREME COURT NEVER INTERPRETING VOTING RIGHTS OF 1965 TO MANDATE PROPORTIONATELY BY RACE AND POPULATION.

THAT MIGHT BE A BIG QUESTION IF THEY DECIDE TO RULE ULTIMATELY.

OR NOT TO RULE.

AND IF THEY DON'T, COULD THAT QUESTION OF PROPORTIONATELY STILL BE OUT THERE?

MEANING, COULD ANOTHER STATE ASK THAT QUESTION OR WILL IT BE SETTLED?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE DISTRICT COURT KEPT SAYING OVER AND OVER ASK IS THAT YOU'RE MISSING THE POINT.

IT NOT ABOUT PROPORTION THAT.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS, MINORITIES HAVE THE ABILITY TO ELECT THEIR CANDIDATE OF CHOICE.

THAT IS A DIFFERENT QUESTION FROM PROPORTIONATELY.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A PERCENTAGE VERSUS THE ABILITY TO -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IF THE MAP ITSELF DIMINISHES A BLACK PERSON'S OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE, THAT IS A DIFFERENT QUESTION.

IT'S A STATE AND WE NEED TO BE TOLD THAT YOUR ARGUMENT IS WRONG.

IT'S BEEN REJECTED.

IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU REPHRASE IT.

BEFORE WE GET THE POINT.

AND AGAIN, I THINK THIS -- AS A CITIZEN, TO KNOW THAT THE REPUBLICANS SUPER MAJORITY USED A SPECIAL SESSION TO REFRAME AND CAPTURE A LOSING ARGUMENT ONLY TO DEFY THE DISTRICT COURT TO ONCE AGAIN PRESENT THE OLD SAME REJECTED ARGUMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT IN HOPES THAT MAYBE THEY WILL UNDERSTAND THAT WE REALLY MEAN IT THIS TIME OR REMIND THE JUSTICES THAT WE'RE ALL CONSERVATIVES HERE SO GIVE US A BONE.

IT'S INSULTING.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WHEN YOU HAVE POWER YOU USE IT JUDICIALLY.

AND THIS WAS AN OUTRIGHT DISRESPECT FOR THE POWER THEY HAVE AND ULTIMATELY IT UNDERMINES OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE ALTOGETHER TO SAY I'M JUST GOING TO KEEP DEFYING YOU UNTIL I GET THE RESULT THAT I WANT.

>> SETTING THE COURT BATTLE ASIDE, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SOME NEW JURISPRUDENCE GOING ON HERE, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT I HAVE HEARD SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS LAMENT THESE DISTRICTS WERE OKAY FOR 20, 30 YEARS, UPHELD BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND BY THE COURTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO WHAT CHANGED?

WHY DID IT CHANGE?

AND WHEN SHOULD WE HAVE KNOWN THAT CHANGE?

WHAT'S THE ANSWER TO THAT?

10 OR 30 YEARS AGO AND NOT NOW.

>> BECAUSE THE POPULATION SHIFT.

I REMEMBER TWO YEARS AGO WE WERE IN A REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE MEETING WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT HAD WITH RACE OFF, WITHOUT EVEN ANY CONSIDERATION FOR RACE BUT IT LOOKED LIKE THE SAME MAP DESPITE POPULATIONS HAVE SHIFTED.

THE MORE THE POPULATION SHIFTED -- >> IS DID THAT GO TO THE PACKING?

>> THE MORE THE POPULATION SHIFTS AND THE FACT THAT THE MAP NEVER REFLECTED THAT THE BLACK POPULATION NOW LIVES IF OTHER PLACES KIND HE OF HE OF EVIDENCED THE INTENT THAT THE PURPOSE WAS TO DIMINISH THE ABILITY OF BLACK PEOPLE TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF CHOICE.

THEN WHEN YOU ADD TO THAT THE WAY THE SPECIAL SESSION WENT, WHERE ALL OF OUR VOICES WERE IGNORED.

WE OFFERED A MAP THAT WAS IGNORED AND THEN TO GET TO THE VERY LAST DAY AND PASS NEW RULES AND MAP AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH CAPTURED AGAIN THE FAILED ARGUMENTS THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN REJECTED AT THE DISTRICT COURT LEVEL AND PATRIOT LEVEL.

, A DIFFERENT LEVEL COVE ARE DISCRIMINATE AND MAKE SURE THAT STATUS QUO REMAINS THE SAME WHICH DIMINISHED OUR ABILITY TO ELECT A CANDIDATE OF CHOICE.

SO I THINK IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE ALABAMA MAKES ARGUMENTS THAT FLAT OUT MISS THE POINT, AND WE TALK ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND AND YOU KNOW YOUR DIDN'T HAVE TO BE NOSTRADAMUS TO SEE THIS OUTCOME.

IF SOMEONE IS DRIVING AROUND THE CORNER AND I CAN SEE AN ACCIDENT -- THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY THIS WAS GOING -- THIS IS THE ONLY RESULT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY COME FROM THIS.

AND IT'S JUST NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO OPENLY DEFY A JUDGE AND HE EXPECT HIM TO CHANGE IT.

>> WHILE I HAVE YES, I DO YOU, I HAVE TO ASK, GOING DOWN THE ROAD A LITTLE BIT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OR THREE WEEKS, LET'S SAY THAT IT IS A SPECIAL MASTER AND THAT WE GET A MAP THAT HAS A DISTRICT -- CLOSE TO IT IN YOUR SECOND DISTRICT.

A NEW SEAT ON THE MAP.

YOU'RE THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

YOU HAD SOME SUCCESS DURING THE JONES DAYS.

BUT YOU HAVE ALSO SEEN MAYBE AN EROSION OF ENTHUSIASM OR ORGANIZATION AT THE PARTY LEVEL HERE IN THE STATE.

WOULD HAVING A NEW DISTRICT, A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN PLAY, THAT'S NO SMALL THING, WOULD THAT MAYBE BRING A BUMP OF DEMOCRATIC ENTHUSIASM AND ORGANIZATION HERE IN ALABAMA?

>> I MEAN IT WOULD CERTAINLY INCREASE THE RESOURCES.

BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO STRESS, IN ORDER TO WIN ELECTIONS LIKE THAT IN A DISTRICT THAT IS GOING TO BE DRAWN IN A WAY THAT IS ALMOST 50/50, IF THE SPECIAL MASTER FOLLOWS THE DISTRICT COURT'S ORDER, WHICH I'M ASSUMING THEY WILL.

IT TAKES BUILDING COALITIONS AND EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE A HAVE A SEAT A THE TABLE.

YOU CANNOT ASK THEM AND NOT VALUE THEIR OPINION.

SO WHAT I HOPE IS, AS YOU SAID, THIS NEW OPPORTUNITY CREATES NEW COALITIONS AND THAT COALITION BETWEEN ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING AND WILLING TO WORK AND HAVE A SHARED VISION AND GOAL FOR WHAT THEFT ALABAMA TO BE ARE ALL INVITED TO THE TABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.

SO ULTIMATELY THAT SORT OF SYNERGY THAT IS CREATED BY THAT WILL THEN SUCCESSFULLY ELECT A CANDIDATE AND WE'RE A LOT WAY AWAY FROM THAT RIGHT NOW.

SO I'M EXPRESSING IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT WORK AND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY, EVERYBODY HAS TO BE SITTING AT THE TABLE WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF POWER TO CREATE POLICY, PLATFORM, AND ALSO IMPACT CERTAINLY THE DEMOCRATIC ARMY OF THE PARTY IS EXCITED ABOUT THIS NOT JUST IN ALABAMA BUT ANOTHER STATE.

THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO WATCH.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THAT YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> JOINING ME NEXT IS KEN BOSWELL DIRECTOR OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU AS ALWAYS.

THE AGENCY TASKED WITH MOST OF THE PASS-THROUGH GRANTING IN ALABAMA.

WE HERE SO MANY TIMES, A LOT OF TIMES LATELY IT'S BECAUSE OF BROADBAND.

SO MUCH BROADBAND WORKED.

GETTING SOME AREAS CONNECTED TO THIS HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

I WANTED TO ASK ON THE MOST RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT, Y'ALL WERE DOWN IN DOTHAN, YOU AND THE GOVERNOR, ANNOUNCING THIS REBRANDING OF THE PROGRAM, AS B LINKED ALABAMA.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT AND WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT.

>> WE FEEL LIKE THE BRAND IS VERY IMPORTANT.

ONE WE HAVE A GREAT LEADER IN GOV.

IVEY AND SHE HAS ALSO CREATED THAT ACTIVITY WITH THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING INTERNET SERVICES TO THE UNSERVED, UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE STATE.

SO WE FEEL LIKE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BRANDY.

NOT ONLY THAT BUT ALSO UNDER THE NEW BRAND IT ALLOWED US TO DO UPDATES TO THE WEBSITE.

AND WE HAVE CREATE ED PROFILES OF ALL 67 COUNTIES SO CITIZENS CAN GO ON AND LOOK AT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

NOT ONLY THAT BUT LOOK AT THE MAP SO SHOW WHETHER THEY ARE SERVED OR UNDER SERVED AND NOW THEY CAN ACTUALLY CONNECT WITH THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO HOPEFULLY GET THAT BROADBAND TO THEIR HOMES QUICKER.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BRANDING BEING IMPORTANT.

AS MUCH AS WE HAVE REPORTED ON BRAND BAND HERE AT THE DESK, DAILY NEWS AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY DIFFERENT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND POTTS OF MONEY.

YOU AND I WERE GOING OVER A MINUTE AGO SO I'M COUNTING THE MOST RECENT EBB, Y'ALL ANNOUNCED 1.4 BILLION.

THAT'S FROM THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE LAW.

THERE WAS 182 MILLION FROM THE CAPITOL PROJECTS FUND HERE IN ALABAMA, AND THERE WAS A LITTLE 282 MILLION DOLLARS FROM ARPA IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE'S OF THE 282 MILLION DOLLARS FIBER NETWORK LAST YEAR.

I MAY NOT HAVE INCLUDED THEM ALL.

>> LET'S GO THROUGH A HISTORY LINE IF WE CAN.

WE BEGAN IN 2018.

AND SINCE 18 WE HAVE HAD ABOUT 95 MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE DEPLOYED WITH STATE DOLLARS.

107 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED, GIVEN A TOTAL OF ABOUT 96 THOUSAND PEOPLE AND BIGGSS THAT WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

>> THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

>> IT IS.

AND WOULD DEEM YOU AGAIN AND THE SECOND ROUND OF MONEY WOULD BE THE ARPA ONE DOLLARS WHICH WAS THE PROJECT THAT WE AWARDED TO FIBER UTILITY NETWORKS AND THEY WILL ACTUAL DEEMPLOYEE 3 THOUSAND MILES OF FIBER AFFECTING 64 OF THE 67 COUNTIES.

THE MOST RECENT DOLLARS WOULD BE A TOTALING YES 4 HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS, 180 MILLION DOLLARS WOULD BE KEEP PROJECTS FUNDS THAT WE WILL MARY WITH THE 282 MILLION DOLLARS WITH THE ANCHOR INSTITUTE MIDDLE MILD PROGRAM.

WE'RE ESTIMATING APPROXIMATELY 500 ANCHOR INSTITUTES.

ANCHOR INSTITUTES INCLUDE SCHOOLS TWO AND FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITIES.

SO WE FEEL LIKE DEBLOWING THOSE TO THE ANCHOR INSTITUTES IT WOULD ALLOW US TO BE PREPARED BY 2025 TO RECEIVE THAT 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS FOR ARE NOTHING MORE THAN THE LAST MILE.

>> I REMEMBER YOU HAVE TALKING ABOUT THE MIDDLE MILE AND YOU'VE GOT TO GET IT OUT THERE, BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY TO CONNECTOR THE LAST MILE WHICH GOES TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND IN PLACES LIKE THAT, WITHOUT THAT MIDDLE MILE CONNECTIVITY.

>> THE BEST WAY THAT CITIZENS CAN REALLY THINK ABOUT THIS IS YOU HAVE DARK FIBER THAT IS LOOKED UPON AS THE INTERSTATE THEN YOU HAVE THE MIDDLE MILE LOOKED ON AT YOUR STATE ROADS AND THE LAST MILE IS CONNECTIVITY FROM THAT STATE COUNTY ROAD INTO YOUR BUSINESS OR HOME.

>> I KNOW THERE IS A CHALLENGE HERE IN ACTUALLY GETTING THIS MONEY SPENT, THE LAST LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT MEETING BUT ALSO THE OTHER ONES WITH ARPA FUNDS.

BECAUSE THESE ARE AT THE END OF THE DAY MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND WITH CONGRESS PUTTING THAT 2026 SPENDING DEADLINES, THAT SEEMED HIKE A LONG WAY AWAY.

AND IS THERE TALK ABOUT GOING TO CONGRESS TO SAY HEY CAN WE GET HELP EXTENDING THESE DEADLINES.

>> I'M NOT PRIVILEGED TO ANY OF THOSE TALKS AS FAR AS EXTENSIONS.

WE FEEL AND WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS.

THEY FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR POSITION FROM THE STANDPOINT OF DEPLOYMENT AND GETTING IT INTO THE GROUND.

NATURAL, WORKFORCE IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE AS WELL AS SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

BUT THE PROVIDERS FEEL COMFORTABLE AND THEY CAN GET IT AFTER THEY'RE AWARDED AND UP AND RUNNING WITHIN THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

NATURALLY, WITHIN OUR RESOURCES EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE WARDED THEY CANNOT GET THE MONEY UNTIL THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED SO WE FEEL LIKE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE PRUDENT ON OUR BEHALF OF SPENDING NOT ONLY STATE DOLLARS BUT FEDERAL DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT INTERNET PROVIDER HAS PRESSURE ON THEM TO PRODUCE.

>> THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY FIBER COMPANIES WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE, ONLY SO MUCH STEEL AND ACTUALLY FIBER.

AND WE WILL WANT FOLLOW-UPS ON THOSE QUESTIONS.

THE SAME MEETING OF, SENATOR SINGLETON ASKED AN INTERESTING QUESTION ABOUT AGO, SHOULD WIRELESS -- MAYBE PHYSICAL BROADBAND CAN'T MAKE IT TO EVERY SINGLE HOME BUT IS THERE A WAY TO SET UP A10 AS TO USE WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY.

HOUR -- SPEEDS ARE SO MUCH, MUCH FASTER THAN THEY USED TO BE.

HE ASKED ARE YOU LOOKING TO AMPLIFY AND GET TO THE HARD TO REACH PLACES.

>> THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS YES.

WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL ASPECTS BUT WE ARE CONCENTRATING RIGHT NOW ON THE FIBER OF MAKING SURE THAT WE GET IT DEPLOYED IN THE CORRECT PLACES.

DO WE THINK POP OF TOPOGRAPHY WILL COME INTO PLAY?

GEOGRAPHY AS WELL?

BUT YES, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT WIRELESS AS A SOURCE BUT WE'RE FOCUSING RIGHT NOW ON THE PRIMARY PORTION OF IT OF BEING FIBER IN THE GROUND.

>> LOOK, IT IS LIKE YOU SAID A MONUMENTAL TASK.

I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING DAY AND NIGHT ON IT.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TO SHARE THESE UPDATES WHICH WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING FOR BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING TO THE NITTY THE NITTY GRITTY.

>> WE ARE.

WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD.

OUR BROADBAND DIVISION IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR CONSULTANTS AND INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS.

WE ARE IN THAT APPLICATION PROCESS PHASE RIGHT NOW.

HOPEFULLY WHEN THAT APPLICATION PROCESS FADES OUT THEN WE WILL START GRADING AND LOOKING A THE WHO WILL BE AWARDED SO IT IS A VERY, VERY BUSY TIME FOR ADECA RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON AND JUST AS A CLARIFICATION FROM EARLIER, IT'S ACTUALLY BROADBAND DO THE ALABAMA DOT GOV.

>> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT WEBSITE UP THERE.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT RESOURCE NOT JUST FOR COMMUNITIES THEMSELVES BUT FOR CITIZENS TO KNOW WHAT IS ON THE HORIZONTAL AND WHAT RESOURCES ARE INTEREST.

>> YEP.

>> THAT YOU AGAIN FOR COMING ON.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK AT THE SAME TIME NEXT WEEK ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACEY.